Third Icon Class Ship Legend of the Seas Floats For The First Time

Another milestone moment has arrived for Royal Caribbean International. On August 29, 2025, the cruise line’s newest Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, floated out of dry dock at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

For the very first time, the massive vessel touched water, officially moving into the outfitting phase of construction.

Why the Float-Out Matters

A float-out isn’t just a symbolic ceremony—it’s one of the biggest milestones in shipbuilding. Up until this point, construction has focused on piecing together the ship’s steel blocks and assembling the exterior hull. Now, with the ship watertight and afloat, attention shifts inward.

Over the next year, thousands of workers will outfit Legend of the Seas with her 2,805 staterooms, restaurants, theaters, entertainment venues, and technical systems.

For a ship expected to carry more than 7,000 passengers at maximum capacity, this is no small task. It’s also a striking engineering achievement to maneuver such a massive structure—nearly a quarter-million gross tons—out of dry dock and into open water for the very first time.

Clearing the Way for the Next Giant

The float-out also has ripple effects for Royal Caribbean’s shipbuilding pipeline. With Legend of the Seas now out of dry dock, space has been cleared for assembly to begin on the yet-unnamed fourth Icon Class ship, scheduled to debut in 2027. The keel-laying for that vessel is already underway, marking the start of its long journey toward delivery.

At the float-out, Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm emphasized what the milestone means for the Finnish shipyard:

“Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best.”

Icon Class: A New Era of Cruising

The Icon Class has quickly become the crown jewel of Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 and immediately made headlines as the largest cruise ship in the world. Just over a year later, Star of the Seas joined the lineup in August 2025, offering enhancements to the design and onboard experiences.

Now, Legend of the Seas is poised to continue that momentum. The ship will feature all the Icon Class signatures guests have come to expect:

• The AquaDome — a glass-enclosed entertainment hub that doubles as a tranquil retreat by day and a dazzling show venue by night.
• Surfside — a dedicated family neighborhood packed with kid-friendly pools, activities, and dining.
• Thrill Island — home to adrenaline-pumping attractions like waterslides and adventure rides.
• Hideaway — an adults-only oasis with the first suspended infinity pool at sea.

While Royal Caribbean hasn’t unveiled every detail of Legend of the Seas, it’s expected the ship will carry forward many of these innovative spaces, along with refinements learned from her sisters.

Economic and Industry Impact

Each Icon Class ship takes years to build and thousands of workers to complete. Beyond the shipyard, these mega-ships also fuel local economies once in service. Homeports like Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Fort Lauderdale will see thousands of cruisers passing through each week, filling hotels, restaurants, and airports along the way.

The ship’s construction also underscores Finland’s central role in global shipbuilding. Meyer Turku has become synonymous with Royal Caribbean’s largest and most ambitious projects, reinforcing its reputation as a hub of maritime engineering expertise.

What Comes Next

With the float-out behind her, Legend of the Seas now enters the long outfitting stage. Workers will install everything from technical systems to crew quarters, galley equipment, theaters, and luxury furnishings. Later in 2026, the ship will undergo sea trials—rigorous tests at sea to ensure she performs exactly as designed.

Royal Caribbean expects delivery in summer 2026, just in time for the ship’s eagerly awaited debut.

Inaugural Cruises Revealed

The excitement doesn’t stop at the shipyard. Royal Caribbean has already announced Legend of the Seas’ inaugural itineraries:

• August 2, 2026: A 7-night Western Mediterranean voyage roundtrip from Barcelona, Spain, with calls at Palma de Mallorca, La Spezia, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples.
• August–October 2026: Additional sailings between Barcelona and Civitavecchia, continuing to showcase the best of the Western Med.
• October 25, 2026: A transatlantic repositioning voyage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Once in the U.S., Legend of the Seas will begin her first North American season with Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. Guests can expect a variety of itineraries, including a short 3-night preview voyage to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

A Look Ahead

By the time Legend of the Seas enters service, she will be the third Icon Class ship to join the Royal Caribbean fleet, with a fourth already in the pipeline. Each new vessel redefines what’s possible at sea, offering larger spaces, more entertainment, and a wider variety of experiences for families, couples, and adventure-seekers alike.

For now, though, the world’s attention is on Finland, where outfitting teams will spend the next 11 months transforming Legend of the Seas from a floating shell into one of the most advanced cruise ships ever built.

When she sets sail in 2026, Royal Caribbean fans will be stepping aboard not just a ship, but the next chapter in the evolution of modern cruising.